EtherNet/IP is a leading industrial protocol supported by many PLCs and controllers, with this in mind, Weintek has added EtherNet/IP protocol support to their remote I/O coupler module, iR-ETN, allowing iR Series remote I/O to support EtherNet/IP.
EtherNet/IP Communication Modes
EtherNet/IP provides two communication modes to address different demands.
| Mode | Implicit Messaging | Explicit Messaging |
| Transport Layer | UDP | TCP |
| Exchange Mode | Periodic Data Exchange | Non-periodic Data Exchange Data is transferred using instructions |
| Applicable Data | Data that require immediacy | PLC data accessed from the Host Parameter Configuration |
| Architecture | Scanner: Device that establishes the connection (PLC) Adapter: Device that provides the data (iR-ETN) | The Host computer is the Client iR-ETN is the Server |
iR-ETN not only supports the two EtherNet/IP modes mentioned above but also retains Modbus-TCP support, as shown below:
Dual Ethernet Port
The iR-ETN is equipped with two Ethernet ports that not only support Star network topology but also can directly connect multiple iR-ETN modules to form an EtherNet/IP Line network topology, eliminating the need for switches or hubs providing great economic benefit.
EasyRemote IO – EDS Builder
Every EtherNet/IP device needs a standardized device description file (EDS), and iR-ETN’s EDS file can be exported by executing “Export EtherNet/IP EDS” in the EasyRemote IO software to generate the file according to the current module configuration. An EtherNet/IP Scanner can then import the EDS file for users to easily and quickly complete network configuration.
Version Information
Current iR-ETN users can simply update their software and firmware version to the following versions to make iR-ETN support both Modbus TCP and EtherNet/IP communication protocols.
Applicable product:
iR-ETN V1.0.3.0
Applicable software: EasyRemoteIO V1.3.2.0 or later
ETHERNET/IP is a trademark of ODVA, INC
Modbus is a trademark of Schneider Electric USA, Inc